History

Circa 1955 - The OCF ministry at CGA began at the home of BTC Wallace and Florence McLeod during a visit by OCF Executive Director Cleo Buxton. Cadet Irv Lindemuth ‘56 led the group.

1964 - 1968 - LT Stan Mincks ‘59 served as advisor to a primarily cadet-led fellowship Sunday evenings in the Chapel.

1968 - 1972 - LCDR Jim & Geraldine Prout ‘61 served as the OCF advisors, bringing a greater emphasis on discipleship to the ministry. Jim began a formal Cadet Bible study in his office in Satterlee Hall on Friday nights in April 1969. This lead to a well-loved event that is now synanomous with OCF on campus: Friday Night Fellowship (FNF).

1972 - The vision for a OCF ministry home at CGA is born. God powerfully moved at the Academy, with many cadets coming to know the Lord, leading to 12% of cadets being involved in Bible studies. Moved by the Spirit, 27 cadets signed a letter expressing God’s mighty work and the desire for a ministry house near campus. LT John Bannan ‘66 assisted the Prouts in those days.

1972 - 1977 -  LT Jerry & Kris Hale ‘69, serving at the Academy’s admissions office, opened their home in Uncasville to cadets on a regular basis. The annual Camp Wightman Labor Day retreat began in 1975 under OCF sponsorship.

1977 - 1981 - Bob and Patsy Leadbetter, USNA ‘69 became the first OCF Field Staff at CGA, faithfully continuing what had been started.

1981 - 1986 - In the abscense of Field Staff, Cadets carried on the core mission and call of OCF through the Cadet Club.

1987-1991 - LT Hank and Betsy Teuton became unofficial Field Staff and advisors to the OCF Club on campus, hosting numerous gatherings at their home in Gales Ferry. Through Hank and Betsy, the Lord renewed the vision for Field Staff at CGA, spurred on by the other Field Staff which by now had been established at most of the Service Academies.

1992-1998 - As an answer to many prayers, the Lord provided CDR Vic and Cindy Primeaux (Retired USCG) to become the second OCF Field Staff.

1998 - 2001 - In the second absence of Field Staff, Cadets again rose to the occasion and carried the torch.

2001 - 2010 - Major Jim and Carolyn Groves (Retired USAF) took over the Field Staff position. Major Groves has remained as a valuable advisor to field staff and mentor to cadets to this day.

2010 - 2015 - CDR Hank and Betsy Teuton assumed OCF Field Staff and purchased 10 ½ Marguy St. in Quaker Hill, CT, which sits on a beautiful 16 acres just seven minutes from campus. Cadets begin to regularly visit “Shepherd's Fold” for Bible studies, worship sessions, fellowship, fun, and meals.

2015 - Shepherd’s Fold is donated to OCF USA as a permanent ministry center by the Teutons, an answer to decades of prayer for a dedicated ministry house. "The Fold" becomes the epicenter of the OCF ministry at CGA and serves as a home away from home for Cadets.

2015-2024 - CDR Carl and Christie Crabtree (Retired USN) take over as Field Staff and continue building a strong support base for OCF at the Coast Guard Academy, expanding the capacity of the Fold and the number of retreats and events hosted.

2024 - Present - CAPT Pat & Jill Ropp (Retired USCG) volunteer to minister at CGA as interim Field Staff.  In late 2025, they removed the “interim” designation and became permanent Field Staff for OCF at USCGA, stepping up to leading the ministry into its next chapter. 

Shepherd’s Fold is at capacity and expansion is planned! 

• Because of your prayers and God's faithfulness, Shepherd's Fold continues to thrive as a vital ministry hub for Coast Guard cadets. It regularly sees 40-50 cadets gather for worship, Bible study, and fellowship at Shepherd’s Fold on the weekends...so much so that it's filled beyond capacity. While the fellowship and spiritual growth are sweet, cadets must cram into the basement or living room for retreats, Bible teachings, praise and worship, and meals are crowded and disjointed during the cold months when gathering inside.

• The fundraising for a Fellowship Barn to expand upon the existing facilities has begun. This will provide a large meeting area for Bible teaching, retreats, fellowship, and meals.